Today we're going to discuss the history of the bicycle. Although early prototypes appeared in the 19th century, the first practical model with pedals was invented in 1861 by Pierre Michaux in France. However, it was not until the 1880s that the 'safety bicycle' with equal-sized wheels and a chain drive became popular, making cycling accessible to a wider audience, especially women. By the early 20th century, bicycles had become a major mode of transport in many cities, and their design has changed relatively little since then.